Pad for invalid cushions



Nov. 8, 1932. H. M. BUCKLEY 1,886,637

PAD FOR INVALID CUSHIONS Filed June 19. 1951 Fir 7.

Patented Nov. 8, 1932 UNITED STATES HELEN M. BUCKLEY, F WESTIORT,CONNECTICUT PAD FOR INVALID CUSHIONS Application filed June 19,

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in cushions orpads particularly of the type used for the comfort of invalids or othersconfined to their beds and in use the pads are adapted to case a patientand prevent bed sores and the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a cushion particularly adaptedfor the purpose stated and which is more restful and comfortable thanthose heretofore known and which may be used continuously over arelatively long period of time without becoming uncomfortable to thepatient.

Another object is to provide a cushion for the purpose stated andincluding an infla able core or center and one or more pads of softmaterial applied to said core to modify pressure against the patientsand make them more comfortable, and an extensible cover enclosing thecore and the pad or pads and secured at its edges in a more or lesstemporary manner so as to be readily removable as for laundering,renewal and the like.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a considerationof the following detailed description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing wherein is shown a satisfactory embodiment of theinvention. It is, of course, to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations andmodifications as fall within the spirit of the invention and the scopeof the appended claims to which claims reference is to be had for adefinition of the invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an improved cushion in accordance with thepresent invention, parts being broken away to show more clearly thedetails of construction;

Fig. 2 is an edge view of the improved cushion, parts belng broken away;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectlonal view through one side of the improvedcushion; and

Fig. 4 is a plan view of aportion of a cushion cover showing one meansof securing the outer edges of the cover.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the improved cushion as herein shownincludes an inflatable core or center 5 which may be of 1931. Serial No.545,440.

any desired shape, but which is usually a ring like member as hereinshown. This core 5 is usually of rubber and is adapted to be inflated bythe forcing of air into the core through the valve controlled entrance6. The usual large inflatable rubber cushions, usually rings, wheninflated and covered with a muslin slip are resistive and While thesecushions change the position of the patient and for atime prove restfulthey must frequently be removed.

According to the present invention pads of the general shape of the core5, that is, ring like pads, are cut'from some soft material such ascotton pads or felted or unwoven cotton, or other suitable softmaterial, and these pads are applied to the core at each of its sides.In the drawing, these ring like pads of soft material are designated 7and it will be noted that three such pads are applied to'the core ateach of its sides. The number of pads used will, of course, vary andwill to a large extent be determined by their thickness. That is, if thepads are cut from a heavy or thick pad but one or two pads may be used,whereas, if the material from which the pads are cut is'not relativelythick a larger number of pads will be used.

These pads are not sewed together and are not in any way permanentlysecured to the 0 core 5. They are simply laid against the sides of thecore and one on top of the other at each side of the core when more thanone pad is applied to each of the sides of the core. Therefore, when anumber of pads are in use about a core one or more of them may be easilyremoved or if desired additional pads may easily be applied to the core,the number being usually determined by the patients requirements.

A cover 8 of muslin or other suitable material is adapted to enclose thecore and the pads and is preferably so applied as to be easily removablefor laundering. To this end the outer edges of the covering may be onlytemporarily secured together whereby the cover is easily removable andwhereby additional pads may be applied to the core or some of the padsremoved from the core without entirely removing the cover from the 1cushion. The cover is formed of upper and lower parts 9 and 10 each ofwhich is in the form of a ring whereby the completed cover will be ofthe general shape of the cushion and the parts 9 and 10 are more or lesspermanently secured together at their inner edges as by the stitching11. Secured intermediate their ends to th stitched edges of the parts 9and 10 of the cover are a plurality of tapes or ribbons 12, the saidtapes or ribbons being secured to the cover as by the stitching 11.Preferably,

a considerable number of these tapes are'used,

6 or more being suggested, and these tapes are preferably equallyspaced. In use these tapes are carried over and under the pads 7 appliedto the respective sides of the core 5 and are then tied as at 13 wherebyto secure the pads in place on the core. The outer edges of the parts 9and 10 forming the cover 8 may then be temporarily secured together asby basting as shown at 15 or as by the snap fasteners 14 shown in Fig.4:. Since the outer edges of the cover are secured after the pads aretied to the core by the tapes 12 it will be appreciated that the coveris more or less extensible in that it is adapted to accommodate avarying number of pads.

From what has been said, it will be appreciated that the cushion of thepresent inven tion Will be extremely useful in making more comfortablethose who are bed-ridden and that since it is often painful for suchpersons to move or be moved the use of a cushion which remainscomfortable for a relatively long period of time is extremely desirable.As the cushion of the present invention includes a yielding core, an aircushion, and as the core is well padded by a soft material such ascotton or the like a very soft cushion is provided. Moreover, the coverbeing easily removable may be kept clean without appreciable diflicultyand more or less of the pad 7 may be applied to either or both sides ofthe core as is found desirable.

Having thus set forth the nature of my in vention, What I claim is: V r

1. In a cushion, an inflatable core, a soft pad of the shape of saidcore applied to a side of the core, a cover, tapes carried by the coverand adapted to be tied about the pad and core to secure the pad in placeon the core, and said cover adapted to enclose the core, pad and tapeswhen the cushion is in use. I 2. In a cushion, a ringlike inflatablecore, a pad of soft material of the shape of said core and applied to aside thereof, a cover comprising a pair of ring like parts permanentlysecured at their inner edges and adapted to enclose the core and pad,tapes secured to the inner side of said cover and adapted to be passedaround the core and pad and secure the pad to the core, and said coveradaptthe core, said cover adapted to enclose the tapes when the cover isin position, and means to temporarily secure the other adjacent edges ofthe parts of the cover together.

' In testimony whereof I affix my signature. HELEN M. BUCKLEY.

